Since falls and worker injuries are the top expenses for ALF, Memory Care and SNF (J Safety Res 2016), S3 is a highly cost-effective investment because it reduces the risk of both. Please click here for a detailed ROI based on a community with 150 beds.

"How does a facility get S3?"

Approved facilities may trial S3 with 6 or fewer devices for up to 30 days and pay only for shipping (~$300 each way). A facility is “approved” after it has submitted our Trial Application and Agreement. This confirms the facility’s commitment to integrate S3 into its current programs. Through the Application it also agrees to pay shipping costs of the devices and return them in new condition within 7 days if it elects not to keep them.

S3 instructor certification is not needed, but staff should watch our 20-minute tutorial, review the Movement Library and read the Instructor Manual. The tutorial, Instructor’s Manual and demo classes are in our password-protected Partners portal.

S3 classes can also be led by a competent resident or residents can follow along as a group to our demo classes on a TV screen.

The S3 class format is simple: instructors choose 5 Movements for a 10-minute class. Research shows that, in general, standing exercises reduce fall risk and there is no best “protocol” (US Preventive Services Task Force 2018).

We recommend that residents teach each other because research shows that people often learn best when interacting with peers.

"Do S3 classes need much space?"

No, although it depends on what you consider “a lot”. Based on our experience S3 can work well in small rooms due to its small footprint and stacking feature. On this video you see Colin quickly and easily store S3devices into a small corner after class. If space is a major concern, please email us a picture of the intended space. We will work within your space, suggest the right number of devices and where to store them.

"Will using S3 increase liability?"

No, but not using may well do so. Medical research and over 20 years of development and testing have shown that exercises such as those used with S3reducesliability by reducing fall risk and staff strain. In contrast, walkers pose exponentially greater risk of liability because of their light weight, tendency to slip and unsupervised usage.

Most facilities conduct seated activities, which gives a false sense of security and fails to improve participants’ balance and functional mobility. Standing exercise not only improves balance and reduces fall risk; there are many other benefits. As long as users maintain a safe hand position, users are constantly oriented in space and have a powerful structure to keep them upright.

S3 is stronger than any human being due to its working capacity of over 600 pounds. Multi-person transfers are rare in facilities with S3 because it does the heavy lifting in combination with the user’s strength.

Walkers and chairs slip easily and are not designed to be transfer/balance devices. S3, on the other hand, is engineered for stability and has proven its ability to reduce fall risk and keep users safe.

"How does a facility recruit participants for S3 classes?"

Meal time announcements: “Come to our fun new balance class today at (time)”. The greater the enthusiasm, the more participants!

Announcements before and after an existing exercise class: “Stick around for our fun new balance class.”

Recruitment by physical therapists and occupational therapists: “To supplement your current treatment, I recommend that you to join the S3 Balance class.”

Show an S3 video and answer resident questions. Make participation personal by connecting S3’s benefits to the audience: “Mary, just think how great it will feel to not need your walker anymore”.

Use the PA system to announce the class 10 minutes before class starts

It’s fun to do things you haven’t done in a long time!

Post names of participants in a visible space and track their attendance with star stickers. Make it a contest and offer simple rewards for “most improved”, “most classes attended”, “funniest outfit”, etc.

"Does research support S3?"

Yes. Extensive balance studies show that consistent performance of standing balance exercises (such as S3Movements) can dramatically improve balance, strength, independence, walking speed and mood. At the same time, it reduces disability, pain, risk of falling, early mortality, depression and chronic disease. Conversely, studies also indicate that benefits dissolve when people stop exercising. We have conducted trials at many facilities and found meaningful improvements in fall risk. We would be happy to share our data.

"Does S3 provide support to ensure success?"

Yes. Our partners will attest that we are committed to your satisfaction. With purchase or lease of S3 devices, your facility will have an S3 account manager to guide you through set up, implementation and maintenance of the S3 program.

"Our floors have uneven spots. Does that matter?"

No, because the feet of S3 self-adjust to slightly uneven floors. If the surface is very uneven, the device may wobble slightly during use. This does not reduce its function. If the device wobbles during use, there’s greater demand on the user’s balance systems and greater improvement is possible.

"What is the weight capacity of the device?"

The sticker on the device lists the weight capacity at 600 pounds, but our engineer’s seal shows a working capacity of 1,000 pounds.

"What makes S3 unique?"

SAFETY. Maintaining participants’ hands in the “safe” position during Movements gives them peace of mind during standing exercise.

ACCOMMODATION. S3 is effective in dynamic standing exercise for users with a wide range of abilities.

COST. S3 is priced at the low end among balance tools but has many more applications and potential benefits.

SUPPORT. S3 has stretching pegs and curved handlebars to assure safety during exercise and transfers.

REDUCED STAFF STRAIN. S3 has a 600-pound working capacity, so staff can let S3 do the heavy lifting.

VERSATILITY. S3 is a portable device and can be used for standing exercise, transfers and upper body exercise.

MARKETABILITY. S3 is a proven program and should be actively marketed to family members, prospective customers and physicians to boost credibility.

"Who can instruct people on S3?"

Anyone with a passion for seniors and willingness to apply the information in the 20-minute tutorial, Instructor’s Manual and Movement Library can be an effective instructor.

Group classes can be led by staff, resident or demo class video from our website. Resident-led classes may be the best option because people tend to learn best from peers.

"Who are ideal users of S3?"

Anyone who is able stand should use S3. Our Testimonials show that S3 can help those with impaired strength, balance and overall fitness (e.g., post-stroke, joint replacement, history of falls). Those with dementia also greatly benefit from S3 because it provides a safe environment that reduces anxiety with standing exercise.

"What are the dimensions of S3?"

S3 is 41″ wide, 33.4″ deep and 40″ tall, giving it a 7.2 ft2 footprint. For storage, devices can be stacked like shopping carts where each additional device adds 11-12″ to the depth (i.e., 5 devices stacked together are 6 feet, 8″ deep). Each device weighs 57 pounds and can be tilted onto its wheels with 20 pounds of force.

"Can other products be used with S3?"

Yes. Wobble boards, half-domes, foam platforms and other products can increase the difficulty of S3Movements. However, mastery of S3 Movements should be priority one.

"Can S3 be used at home?"

Yes. To ensure safety and efficiency, the Movement Library and S3 Instructor Manual should be reviewed before use.

"What are the height restrictions for S3 users?"

The inclined handlebars of S3 can accommodate people who are 4 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet, 8 inches tall. However, people outside this range have successfully used the device.

Note that many years ago, the initial version of S3 was height adjustable. However, after only a month of use, the adjuster mechanism would break down and lead to wobbling handlebars. Further research revealed that height adjustment wasn’t necessary, as taller users had a longer upper arm bone (humerus bone) that would facilitate an acceptable elbow bend with the hands resting on the handlebars. Conversely, shorter users had a shorter humerus bone that would yield an appropriate elbow bend.

"Can S3 be used as a walker?"

No. S3 is designed only to be used as a stationary exercise/transfer device. Walkers, on the other hand, should never be used as an exercise/transfer device for liability/safety reasons.

"Is S3 difficult to assemble?"

No. The S3 device is shipped in 5 pieces: base, upright, 2 handlebars, front handlebar and 12 screws. Using an electric screwdriver with hexagonal head, it should take 1 person about 5 minutes to assemble or disassemble 1 device.

If assembly becomes difficult, loosely insert one screw in the lowest section of each pair of screw holes and work your way up. Finish by firmly tightening screws.

Applying a hard wax, such as a paste wax, to screw threads makes them easier to turn.